Symptoms of Retinal detachment: Introduction

The symptoms of retinal detachment of the eye are a result of the retina pulling away from the choroid, the layer of blood vessels that supply the eye with critical oxygen and nutrients. The retina contains the visual receptors, the rods and the cones, which absorb light and transform it into electrical impulses that are transmitted through the optic nerve to the brain.

As the retina begins to pull away from the choroid, early symptoms include visual disturbances, such as seeing flashes of light and floating spots and specks. Blurred vision and seeing shadows can also occur. Symptoms of progressing retinal detachment include the loss of a portion of peripheral vision (vision to the side). This is often described as seeing a black or purple "curtain" moving in from the top, bottom or side of the visual field.

A serious complication of an untreated retinal detachment is the progressive loss of vision in the affected eye. Eventually, all vision can be lost in the affected eye....more about Retinal detachment »

Symptoms of Retinal detachment

The list of signs and symptoms mentioned in various sources
for Retinal detachment includes the 12
symptoms listed below:

Retinal detachment as a Cause of Symptoms or Medical Conditions

When considering symptoms of Retinal detachment, it is also important to consider Retinal detachment as a possible cause of other medical conditions.
The Disease Database lists the following medical conditions that Retinal detachment may cause:

About signs and symptoms of Retinal detachment:

The symptom information on this page
attempts to provide a list of some possible signs and symptoms of Retinal detachment.
This signs and symptoms information for Retinal detachment has been gathered from various sources,
may not be fully accurate,
and may not be the full list of Retinal detachment signs or Retinal detachment symptoms.
Furthermore, signs and symptoms of Retinal detachment may vary on an individual basis for each patient.
Only your doctor can provide adequate diagnosis of any signs or symptoms and whether they
are indeed Retinal detachment symptoms.

By using this site you agree to our Terms of Use. Information provided on this site is for informational purposes only; it is not intended as a substitute for advice from your own medical team. The information on this site is not to be used for diagnosing or treating any health concerns you may have - please contact your physician or health care professional for all your medical needs. Please see our Terms of Use.